2015 brought great strides in the fight for equal rights on the LGBTQ front. The legalization of same-sex marriage in all 50 states on June 26th is a day I will never forget; I can remember the excitement of the news showing up on my Twitter feed and instantly calling my sister. Hearing the words of Justice Anthony Kennedy saying "It is so ordered" was sweet music to my ears. This huge moment along with the growing prevalence of LGBTQ issues in the media with shows such as "Transparent," "I am Cait," or "Orange is the New Black" indicate that this movement is truly at a tipping point. But with all this great forward momentum from 2015, how much of this will translate into 2016?
The change in laws does not directly translate into a change in attitudes, and 2016 has a bad attitude, with research showing that as much as 39% of Americans still oppose same-sex marriage. Also, 2015 wasn't all about wins, Texas Supreme Court overturned HERO (Houston Equal Rights Ordinance) which was aimed at protecting LGBTQ individuals from discrimination in employment and public places. The argument presented by the opposing side was that the law would put young girls in danger because it would allow men to go into women's restrooms, claiming they were transgender, and molest or rape young girls and women. In my opinion, men with this mindset are not going to be swayed by a simple sign on a door. This would have been a landmark victory for LGBTQ rights, considering, it is still legal across the United States to get fired from a job, evicted from a residence, or denied credit if you are an individual who is perceived as LGBTQ, even if they do not necessarily self-identify. We also had the case of Kim Davis pandemonium, where Kim Davis got her 15 minutes of fame for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in Kentucky, with many conservative politicians praising her strong-will and Christian values. Mike Huckabee used her release from jail as a campaign rally, playing "Eye of the Tiger" as she exited the detention center. So 2015 was a year of one step forward, two steps back.
Election 2016 is strongly shaping the path of these issues for 2016, as well. With other issues at the forefront; immigration, the Syrian refugee crisis, ISIS, and the economy, domestic social issues have been pushed aside; LGBTQ rights, Black Lives Matter, wage equality, and college affordability. The Democratic candidates show little acknowledgment to LGBTQ issues, simply reiterating support, but making no further propositions that would rock-the-boat while the Republicans use their opposition to the same-sex marriage ruling to flex their conservative muscle, through scare tactics and soundbites, with lack of fruitful discussions resulting. Ben Carson says anti-discrimination laws are just hyped "political-correctness," says prisons prove being gay is a choice, compares same-sex marriage to NAMBLA and bestiality, and states that marriage equality is "extra rights" for "a few people who perhaps are abnormal." Trump supports "traditional" marriage, but otherwise is flip-floppy on the issue, his position is extremely unclear, and he dances around the question (Theory: he personally is for, but knows he can't get the Republican vote and support if he says he supports marriage equality). Ted Cruz criticized Republican politicians who participated in local pride parades. Marco Rubio says he opposes allowing LGBTQ couples to adopt because children should not "be part of a social experiment." With the lack of verbal and articulated support on the Democrats and the extremely vocal and negative comments on the Republican side, the support and change that could be fostered in 2016 to continue the momentum from 2015 reads like a Magic 8 Ball "Outlook Not So Good."
